Emerson-Garfield Code Enforcement Summary for 2014

Fresh in: The 2014 Code Enforcement Summary with some new data for the statistically minded folks in our neighborhood.

Code enforcement is the process that deals with things like abandoned cars, people living in RVs, derelict houses, and structures such as outbuildings and fences.

Emerson-Garfield had a total of 294 code enforcement complaints in 2014. Compare that to 4,990 for the whole city — which means E-G accounted for 5.9% of code enforcement complaints across Spokane last year. Maps showing the locations and nature of the reports for 2013 and 2014 are provided below.

2013 E-G code violations (reported) by location

2014 E-G code violations (reported) by location

The report cites abandoned vehicle complaints (120 of them) as the primary issue — or rather, the most visible issue, since there are many code violations that go unspotted or unreported — in 2014. Solid waste (52) and zoning-related complaints (24) come in a distant second and third, but these are still substantial compared to other Spokane neighborhoods.

Abandoned vehicle complaints rose 2000% between 2013 and 2014. Yes, you read that correctly: 2000%. There were only 6 reported in 2013. However, this massive increase comes down to the fact that abandoned vehicles — along with right-of-way violations and graffiti — are relatively new code enforcement categories that were introduced late in 2013.

Speaking of graffiti, there were only 12 code enforcement complaints in that category in 2014. Either there’s not as much graffiti as folks tend to think, or they’re not reporting it.

The summary also has the following to say:

Illegal dump complaints on the right-of-way rose significantly to 21, which may indicate a problem for this neighborhood in education on proper disposal of refuse.

Due to the age of the structures, there is also a concern relating to substandard buildings. In this area there were 18 substandard building complaints, which is up from 14 complaints in 2013. Many of these are abandoned homes or undergoing foreclosure.

And that, particularly the illegal dumping, leaves the neighborhood council with a few discussion topics.